Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 42

Author: Anderson, George Baker
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3 > Part 42

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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY. .

Nina, and Osta. The father of our subject was Joseph J. West, who was born in Grafton, March 23, 1828, a son of Franeis and grandson of William, who, with two brothers, Nathan and Laton, came from Rhode Island and settled in Grafton, N. Y., in a very early day, being among the first settlers of the town. William and Nathan lived and died in Grafton and reared large families. The father of the subject spent his life in Grafton as a farmer; he was a Democrat in politics and justice of the peace a number of years; he died in 1837, aged forty-four; his wife was Olive Rey- nolds, who came from Rhode Island and here lived and died February 24, 1870, aged sixty-nine years. Joseph J. West is a cooper by trade but now is a farmer; he has made his own way in the world and owns 120 acres of land; he was a member of the Loyal League, is a Republican and has been overseer of the poor. He was married, December 23, 1848, to Priscilla Saunders, daughter of Daniel and Ruth (Jones) Saunders of Grafton. To Joseph J. West and wife have been born five children : Arthur J., Daniel M., subject of sketch, Emma A., wife of Albert R. Waite of Wis- consin. Ida P'., wife of Albert Coons of Grafton, and Ruth, wife of John E. Burdick. They have four children: Adelbert A., John, Victor A., Mattie A.

Scott, Walter, began his work for Walter A. Wood by taking the agency for mow- ing machines in 1867. Two years later he aeted as general agent for the machine, traveling throughout the Northeast States, and selling 500 machines in the year 1871. In that year he received a letter from Mr. Wood which he still treasures, en- gaging him as wholesale agent. This necessitated him traveling to all parts of the globe, the engagement continuing to the present time. Mr. Scott has probably sold more mowers than any other living man. He is of Seotch ancestry, born at Fort Aun, Washington county, in 1839, His father was Henry M. Scott, a farmer. The oldest daughter of Mr. Scott is Helen S. Locke, widow of Norman W. Locke. She is again an inmate of her father's house. Mary 11. Scott, aged seventeen, is a stu- dent here. Mr. Scott is a Republican but not an active politician ; he is also a mem- ber of the Baptist church. Ile was engaged in farming prior to his association with Mr. Wood, whose entire confidence he cherished.

Thorpe Brothers. - George L. Thorpe is the senior member of the firm of Thorpe Brothers, leading pharmacists of Hoosick Falls. Mr. Thorpe first came to this village in 1883 and purchased Atwood's interest in the Elm street store, the new firm being Thorpe & Cahill until 1886, when he bought the Cahill interest and took a younger brother, W. L. Thorpe, as clerk, and in 1890 as partner, In 1892 Mr. Thorpe purchased the business of William Archibald on Classie street, and the brothers now operate two stores, each personally supervising one of them. George L. Thorpe was born at Bennington, Mich., and his boyhood was passed on a farm at that place, educated at Michigan University and at Mexico (N. Y.) Academy. He turned his attention to chemistry while at the latter institution and soon became an assistant of E. L. Huntington, a druggist of Mexico, where he remained for seven years, gain- ing the thorough and practical knowledge of the business and of pharmacy as a pro- fession that has condueed to their success here. He has been for twenty years a working member of the M. E. church, is of high rank in the order of K. of P., and of the Odd Fellows, and is a steadfast Republican. His wife was Miss Emma A, Mat- tison, of Mexico, N. Y. Willis L. Thorpe, the junior member of the firm, also born at the old homestead in Bennington, Mich., began the study of pharmacy at Mexico

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N. Y., and was for two years a clerk with Huntington, the druggist of Mexico. He became a resident of Hoosick Falls in 1886 and has already made for himself a high place in the publie esteem in social and business circles. He is allied to the well known family of Easton by his marriage to Miss Pearl, daughter of C. W. Easton, ín 1893.

lIolmes, Watson M., head of the experimental department of the Walter A. Wood Mowing and Reaping Machine Co., is the son of Ilector A. Holmes, also an in- ventor, who had previously been associated with the late Walter A. Wood until 1895, when he removed to Austin, Minn., where he now resides, retired on a large farm. In his earlier life he engaged in farming, but in 1868 established himself in Minnesota as an inventor of harvesting machines, and it was in 1879, after the com- pletion of a successful grainbinder, that he came to Hoosick Falls. Watson M. was born at Lawrenceville, St. Lawrence county, in 1856, and was educated at the dis- triet school, working on the farm for board and clothes in the mean time. At twenty years of age he entered a machine shop to learn the trade. There he found a wide field for the development of genius such as his. lle has received twenty patents on harvesting machinery. Always a Republican, his first public office was that of village trustee, and in 1893 he became supervisor, which office he holds at the pres- ent tlme. He has been an extensive traveler, adapting machines to all conditions and to all nations, United States, Canada, Old Mexico, New Zealand, Africa and Europe. Ile is associated with all the business enterprises of the place and is an active promoter in all matters pertaining to the publie good.

Bovie, Israel, one of the oldest residents of Hoosiek, was born in this town Febru- ary 5, 1824, and never resided elsewhere, His father, Henry Bovie, was also a life - long inhabitant, and his grandfather, John Bovie, was one of the first settlers, Israel Bovie has been principally engaged in farming, and also in bee culture, having at one time over 100 swarms of the latter. Ile was recently bereaved of his wife, his beloved companion for half a century. She was Ruby Lee Barron; they married March 26, 1846, and her death occurred August 2, 1896. There are no children. Mr. Bovie is highly esteemed for his sterling worth, and has served as highway commissioner and as postmaster, He has in his possession one of the old-fash- ioned tall wooden clocks which kept time for both grandfather and father, and which he values not only as a memento but as a good time keeper.

Ilerrington, Mrs. Sylvia A .- Benjamin F. Herrington, late of Buskirk Bridge, whose name must remain associated with all that is honorable in the life of a citizen, was born at Iloosick in 1829. He was a Republican and took an active part in the political affairs of his town, and held several positions of trust and responsibility. Ile was intimately identified with the M. E. cburch, and a faithful supporter until his death in 1891. lle married in 1856 Sylvia A. Case, daughter of David Case, an old resident of Pittstown. Of their three daughters only one is living: Mary 1., wife of John Kenyon, a merchant of Buskirk Bridge.

Quackenbush, Dyke, was born in Hoosick, November 12, 1851, a successful farmer on a large scale, and a fair type of the modern farmer whose views are broadened by contact with fellow minds and by the surroundings and refinements of modern civilization, This family is of Holland ancestry, and the elder Quackenbush, Benja-

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min V. of Hoosick Falls, was a most successful farmer in the vicinity of Hoosick. Dyke Quackenbush still operates his farm of 200 acres, but inhabits a handsome modern home in the village, completed in 1890. May 29, 1878, he married Jenme L. Reynolds, daughter of Ahnon E. Reynolds of Hoosick. They have three children: Annabelle, Benjamin V., jr., and Helen M.

Rudd, Sanford H., a man much estcemed for his sterling character, is a progres- sive farmer who came to Hoosick twenty years ago, purchasing 200 acres devoted to dairy productions; he is also a dealer in agricultural implements. He was born in 1827 at Bennington, as was also his father, David Rudd, son of Joseph Rudd, who came to Bennington from Connecticut about 1760; the latter participated in the bat- tle of Bennington under no commander but his own conscience, melting up the last platter in the house for bullets; he captured a sword from a Hessian officer which is still cherished as a relic by Mr. Rudd; also a letter dated August 26, 1777, at Ben- nington, from Joseph Rudd to his father ten days after the battle, which it describes in detail. Mr. Rudd values relies and is much devoted to historical research. He is a man of sound judgment and has proven an efficient official as assessor for seven years. Ile is the father of ten children: one son, Sanford L. Rudd, died in 1894.

Bratt, Seneca, is of Dutch ancestry, son of John Bratt and grandson of Daniel Bratt, founder of the family in America. The latter came from Holland and settled in Albany during the latter part of the last century. Seneca has always followed the pursuit of farming as did his father before him; he has served his townsmen as commissioner of highways and acted as school trustee. Until recently he was a Democrat, but now is a Republican. He is a native of Iloosick, born in 1813, and carries the infirmities of age with remarkable vigor. He has in his possession a Dutch Bible 200 years old which was brought by his grandfather to America. His wife, who was Christina Haynar, died in 1876, leaving nine children, seven of whom are living.

Wilson, Lorenzo, is a native and lifelong resident of Hoosick with the exception of two years spent in New York city as an employee of the Knickerbocker Ice Co. Re- turning in 1860 he purchased a farm in Pittstown, but sold it in 1865 and bought 200 aeres where he is at present located. The home was destroyed by fre in 1892, but has since been rebuilt. Mr. Wilson was born in 1897, son of Solomon Wilson who came here from Vermont an early settler. The wife of Lorenzo was Sarah Brim- mers, daughter of David Brimmers of Petersburgh; she had been a helpless invahd for years but bore her lot with true Christian fortitude until her death in 1895, aged fifty-five. She left three children: Mary T., wife of William Lawton of Tomhan- noek, who has two children; Cora B., and Lizzie. The last two named care for the father, who is also an invalid.

Reardon, John J., D. D. S ..- Mr. Reardon is a native of the village where he now successfully practices his profession, having been born here in 1862. In 1889 he was graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery at Philadelphia after a four years' course, and opened an office on Main street in Hoosick Falls. He had previously been an associate of Dr. Boynton for several years. In 1883 he married Miss Joanna Agnes Donovan of Hoosick Falls, who bore two children, but neither survived infancy.

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Peckham, Silas C, was born in the town of Petersburgh, June 18, 1841. He is a deseendant from Sir John Peckham, who with a brother eame from England and settled in Newport, R. I., in 1638; the brother died soon after. Sir John reared a large family and his descendants for a hundred years were m the ship building and the shipping business. Abel Peckham, great-grandfather of Silas C., was a native of Westerly, R. I. He was a farmer by occupation and reared four sons and two daughters. He and his two sons were minute men during the Revolutionary war. Joshua, his grandfather, was born in Westerly, R I., in 1970. Ile was a ship car- penter by trade and soon after the Revolutionary war he, with two of his brothers and two sisters, removed to Rensselaer county and settled on the wild forest land in the town of Grafton; here he made a home and became prosperous. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was married twice; his first wife was Sarah Stetson, by whom four sons and three daughters were born. llis second wife was Sarah Burdick, to whom were born two sons and two daughters, and ten of his children grew to maturity. He died in 1861. Stephen, the father of Silas C., was born in the town of Grafton in 1803; he was a blacksmith during his younger days, but he soon left this and engaged in the business of drover, which he followed extensively for many years, driving to New York, Buffalo and Boston; his last years were spent on his father's homestead; his wife was Cornelia Van Brown; she was born in 1806 and was a daughter of Nathan Brown and granddaughter of Elder Elijah Brown. They reared five sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. Ile died in 1883 and she died in 1888. Silas C. Peckham received his education in the common and select schools and when nineteen years of age began to teach. He went to Chicago, Ill., where, in March, 1863, he enlisted in the famous Chicago Board of Trade Bat- tery and served in that until the close of the war. This battery has recorded to its credit seventy-nine battles, eleven of which were the hardest fought battles of the war. The principal battles in which Mr. Peckham participated were Chickamauga, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Noon Day Creek, Atlanta, Nashville, Pulaski, Selma, and Wilson's raid. He received a dangerous wound in the battle of Noon-Day Creek by a musket ball entering and passing through his hip; the ball he has now in his possession. After his return from the war he taught school one term and then settled on his present farm, where he has since resided, doing general farming. le is a life member of the Chicago Board of Trade. He is also a member of the Chicago Battery Association, and of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, and of Tappan G.A. R. Post of Berlin. In 1861 he married Harriet E. Allen, who was born in the town of Petersburgh, and is a daughter of Dr. Amos and Betsey (Avery) Allen. They have one child, Allen, who is a commercial traveler for a drug house in New York.

Henderson, Joseph C., was born in New York city in 1825. His ancestors on the paternal side were Scotch, and on the maternal side of the old famihes of Holland Dutel. His grandfather on his father's side came to Troy in 1808 from New York and started the manufacture of all kinds of webbing, which was the first concern of the kind in the United States. His father, John Henderson, was born in New York city and came with his parents to Troy, was engaged in business with his father, and in 1829 married Dorothy Cole, who was born in North Greenbush. John Ilen- derson died in New York in 1832 and his wife in 1869. Joseph C. received his cd-

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ncation in the public schools of Troy and in 1834 entered the establishment of William T. Smith, a manufacturer and dealer in paper, with whom he remained one year; he was afterwards engaged with a Mr. Atwood in the manufacture of stoves. He attended school for a period, and in 1844 again went into the stove business. In 1848 he was employed as foreman in a foundry at Broekville, Ont., and later he returned to Albany and in company with Anthony Weller began furnace manufac- turing. He continued in this business until 1861, when, being a staff officer of the 9th Brigade New York Militia with the rank of major, he was detailed by Governor Morgan to take command of the volunteer post at Saratoga, one of five established in the State for the reception of recruits and organizing them into companies pre- paratory for active service in the field. Later he went to the front with the 77th N. Y. Vols. as lieutenant-colonel and remained with the regiment until June, 1862, when he returned to Albany and resumed the manufacture of furnaces until 1864. In 1866 he came to Troy with Charles Eddy & Co., which was later Shaver & Hen- derson, Sheldon Greene & Co., and is now J. C. Henderson & Co. He belongs to Masters Lodge F. & A. M. of Albany, the I. O. O. F., and is now a Royal Arch Mason of Albany, and is a member of the East Side Club. In 1850 he married Mariel Beccher, a relative of Rev. Henry Ward Beecher; she died in 1855. His present wife was Marietta Beecher, a sister of his first wife. He has had five sons and two daughters; four of the sons are now living-Charles Il., David P., William B. and Frank.

Dwyer, Thomas H., was born in West Troy November 22, 1847, and is a son of William and Ann (Delaney) Dwyer. His father died in 1863 and his mother in 1882. lle was educated in the public schools and St. Joseph's Academy. In 1862 he en- listed at Troy, in the 12th N. Y. Cavalry and served in the Department of North Carolina until August, 1865. Upon his return to Troy he learned the carriage- maker's trade at Lown & Horton's carriage works, at the corner of Broadway and Seventh street, where the Geo. P. Ide & Co.'s collar factory now stands; they were the largest carriage works in Troy at that time. He was appointed a member of the Old Capitol police force in 1870 and served as a police officer until 1874, when he purchased the carriage and wagon business of Lawrence Sheary, and carried on the business alone until 1892, when he formed a partnership with A. 11. Davitt and car- ried on the business under the firm name of Dwyer & Davitt for the sale of the cel- ebrated Studebaker vehicles, for which they have the sole agency for Troy and Al- bany. He is senior vice-commander of the John MeConthe Post No. 18, G. A. R. In 1876 he married Margaret Dorsey of Troy.

Burton, Lebbeus, was born in Norwich, Vt., June 24, 1826: He is the son of Jacob and Betsey (Safford) Burton, of New England; his father died in 1843, and his mother in 1830. Lebbeus Burton received his education in the Norwich High School and in 1848 came to Troy and entered the drug business with the firm of Baddeau & Stod- dard with whom he remained as a clerk seven years, when he became a partner under the firm name of Stoddard & Burton. Mr. Stoddard sold his interest and the firm name was changed to L. Burton & Co., which was continued until January 1, :896, when Mr. Burton retired, still retaining his interest therein as a special part- ner. The firm has always done a large wholesale and retail trade, and is the second oldest wholesale drug firm in the city of Troy ; the success of the business was accom-

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plíshed largely through the personal and energetic efforts of Mr. Burton. Soon after becoming a partner he established the system of paying cash and receiving the benefits of discount, being among the first in the trade in the city to adopt that sys tem, and he credits that as being one of the causes of his success. He has a beau- tiful place on Ninth street, Troy, called " Sunnyside," where he resides. "Sunny- side " is one of the handsomest places in Troy ; the lawn contains several acres hand- somely laid out and ornamented with beautiful trees, shrubbery, and flowering plants. In 1885 he married Mrs. Rachael Burton, who died in 1888. In politics Mr. Burton has always been a Republican. As a business man he has always held a prominent place in Troy, being recognized as among the most reliable men in the city,

Akin, Washington, M. D., was born in Pittstown, N. Y., August 22, 1835. His father, John Akin, was also born in Pittstown in 1811; he removed to Johnsonville where for many years he was deputy sheriff. His mother, Jane (Button) Akin of Pittstown, died in March, 1891, Washington Akin seeured his classical education at the Cambridge Academy, Cambridge, N. Y., where he graduated, and in 1855 removed to Sandy Ilill, Washington county, and began the study of medicine with Dr. William H. Miller; afterwards he studied with Dr. A. Hill of Buskirk's Bridge, and in September, 1856, he came to Troy and entered the office of Dr. Reed B. Bontecou and remained with him until he graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1858; he then began practice in Troy. In 1862 he joined the 125th Regiment, N. Y. Vols,, as assistant surgeon, and was at the battle of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, and at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox, Va. Ile has served as city physician, jail physician, police sur- geon for twelve years, and at present president of the Board of Examming Surgeons for Pensions. He has served as president of the Rensselaer County Medical Society, also its secretary. He belongs to the American Medical Association, and the Troy Scientific Association. Ile is attending physician of the Marshall Infirmary, and one of its governors. He has been attending physician at the Sisters' Hospital. He is vestryman of Christ's church. In 1866 he married Miss Margaret Euphenie Blais- dell of Coeymans, Albany county. They have had three children, two of whom are living: Josephine, married George F. Houghton of North Bennington, Vt. ; Isabella. at home; and Winthrop, who died at the age of one year.

Van Hagen, James, was born in the town of Glen, Montgomery county, N. Y., May 17, 1824. His parents moved to Caughnawaga, in the town of Mohawk, from there to Canajoharie, and from there to Troy, N. Y., in 1831. Ile was educated in the common schools, and learned the tin, sheet iron, and copper trade, He then went to Boston, Salem, and Medway, where he remained for sixteen years, follow- ing his trade. In the year of 1860 he returned to Troy and became manager in the tin department of Fuller, Warren & Co., where he remained for six years. He was in New York city for one year, then returned to the city of Troy and took charge of Troy Stamping Works, which grew and enlarged under his fostering eare from small beginnings to a successful business, until 1875. Ile then began business on his own account in North Adams, Mass., in stoves and tinware which continued one year. lle then agam returned to Troy and began business in company with his son, John E., under the tiri name of James Van Hagen & Son, conducting the Troy Tinning

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Works, which continued until 1889. They then began another business of hardware, heaters, ranges, ete., under the same firm name which continues until the present time with success. January 16, 1847, he married Mary J. Fox of Troy, N. Y., form- erly of Montgomery county, by whom he has had six children: Janett, James G., Fred, John E., Mary IL., and Fred (2), all of whom are dead except John E. and Mary 11. The ancestry of the family is Dutch and German.

Thomas, Jeffrey P'., is descended from an old Rhode Island family, his earliest traceable ancestor being Peleg Thomas, a Revolutionary soldier, who married Miss Russell Aylsworth, and who, about the close of the war, brought his family on an ox-cart from Warwick, R. I. (where he was probably born) to a farm in the south part of the town of Berlin, Rensselaer county, where he died. He was a pioneer of that then rude locality, and had twelve children. Rowland Thomas, his eldest son, was born in Warwick in 1761, served in the Revolution under Washington, and died in Berlin, aged twenty-six. Ilis wife, Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Phebe (Lang- ford) Greene, was born June 21, 1764. Peleg Rowland Thomas, their only son and one of three children, was born in Stephentown, Rensselaer county, December 7, 1980, was a blacksmith and farmer, and in the spring of 1826 moved with his wife and six children to Sand Lake, in the same county, settled on the old Fellows farmi, and died there February 9, 1847. He married Freelove, daughter of George and Mary (Hopkins) Arnold, descendants of the Arnold and Hopkins families of Rhode Island. She died June 18, 1863. [ William Arnold, born in Dartmouth, England, set sail May 1, 1635, for America, arriving in Hingham, Mass., June 24, and on April 20, 1636, settled with his family in Providence, R. I. Receiving grants of land from Roger Williams his initials, W. A. are second in the famous initial deed. llis estate was mostly in Providence, Pawtuxet and Warwick, where he had houses. He held various offices. Stephen Arnold, his youngest son, was born in Dartmonth, Eng- land, December 22, 1622, came to America in 1635, and died November 15, 1699. He married Sarah, daughter of Edward Smith, of Rehoboth, R. L., and their children were Esther, born September 22, 1647; Israel, October 30, 16-19; Stephen, November 27, 1651; Elizabeth, November 2, 1659; Elisha, born February 18, 1662, died March 24, 1710; Sarah, born January 26, 1665; and Phebe, November 9, 1671. Elisha Arnold was born in Warwick, R. L., where his son James was also born. James Arnold was appointed by Gov Stephen Hopkins an ensign in the ed company of trained band of Warwick March 14, 1758, and by Gov. Josias Lyndon a major in the Kent county militia June 20, 1768, and by Gov. Joseph Wanton, lieutenant-colonel May 6, 1769. Ile had a son James, who was deputy governor of Rhode Island in 1988, member of Assembly, and an officer of militia. George Arnold, son of James, sr., was born in Warwick Oct. 12, 1751, and was appointed by Gov. Arthur Fenner the ninth justice of the peace of that town May 7, 1792. He married, Sept. 7, 1781, Mary Hopkins, who was born Aug. 15, 1760, and who died April 15, 1803. He died March 22, 1829. Their children were Gorton, born January 25, 1783; Benjamin, Nov. 10, 1984; Zilpha, Feb, 25, 1786; Simon, Oet. 4, 1787; Joseph Hopkins, Feb. 17, 1989; Wate, September 12, 1790; Freelove (Mrs. Peleg Rowland Thomas), April 16, 1792; Mary, May 13, 1793; Phebe, April 2, 1795: George Anson, November 19, 1796; Ayl- sey and Elizabeth (twins), October 5, 1799; Elijah, March 15, 1801; and Minerva, April 12, 1803.] The children of Peleg Rowland and Freelove (Arnold) Thomas were

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Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 2 - 3, Part 42

Author: Anderson, George Baker Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Anderson, George Baker
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1424